colette studio reshapes heritage building into restaurant in barranquilla

bogotá-based colette studio was founded in 2012 by architect ernesto lafaurie and interior designer daniel lafaurie, with the objective of creating a multidisciplinary practice whose principal interest consists in creating coherent architectural projects. starting from its initial conceptual state to the development of its communication and physical materialization, the creative practice takes into consideration every detail. located in barranquilla, colombia, ‘conquistador’ is a restaurant committed to returning its soul to viejo prado, one of the city’s most beautiful neighborhoods.

located in a 1950’s building, the design aims to generate a feeling of the era

for ‘conquistador’, colette studio intervened with contemporary design an architectural heritage of the caribbean. situated in a modernist structure, the concept aimed to recreate a 1950’s feeling throughout the space. the studio highlighted its original elements and added a few more reminiscent of the era like an openwork wall that divides the bar and the dining room. with it’s 450 square meters, the area is divided into dining room, dance hall, deck, terrace, and kitchen.

the bar is located in the center of the space and acts as the principal element

a dialogue is generated throughout the whole area thanks the selection of materials that include marble, wood, and ceramic tiling, used along the space. an imposing square bar sits in the center of the restaurant and acts as the principal element, enhanced by a round wood floor framing it. with an exposed concrete ceiling, the electrical system and air conditioning ducts have been left unhidden.

long corridors are part of the circulation of the restaurant